Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 21:01:17 -0700
From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Subject: GLAAD, HRC, NGLTF AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS MEET WITH ATTORNEY
GENERAL JANET RENO TO DISCUSS NEED FOR HATE CRIMES PROTECTION
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jennifer Einhorn, GLAAD Director of Communications
phone: (212) 807-1700 x14
e-mail: einhorn@glaad.org
pager: (888) 656-9045
Contact:
Wayne Besen, HRC Associate Communications Director
phone: (202) 216-1530
e-mail: wayne_besen@hrc.org
pager: (800) 386-5997
Contact:
Tracey Conaty, NGLTF Communications Director
Phone: (202) 332-6483 x3303
e-mail: tconaty@ngltf.org
pager: (800) 757-6476
GLAAD, HRC, NGLTF AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS MEET WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL
JANET RENO TO DISCUSS NEED FOR HATE CRIMES PROTECTION
NEW YORK, NY, THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER, 1998 -- In the wake of the brutal
murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, on the day of an historic rally in
the nation's capital to push for passage of legislation to protect
Americans from violence and hatred, and on the eve of the White House
Conference on School Safety, Attorney General Janet Reno and senior members
of her staff, including Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and Associate
Attorney General Raymond C. Fisher, met with representatives from leading
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations.
Attendees at yesterday's meeting included: Joan M. Garry, executive
director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD); Kevin
Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education
Network (GLSEN) and a 16-year-old student and former bias-crimes victim;
Everett Hamilton of Gay men and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV);
Elizabeth Birch, executive director and Winnie Stachelberg, Political
Director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC); Kerry Lobel, executive
director and Rebecca Isaacs, political director of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF); and Rea Carey, executive director of the
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC).
Reno and her staff discussed with these representatives the urgent need for
legislation guaranteeing all Americans protection from hatred and violence.
Representatives present spoke to different aspects of the issue of bias
crime, ranging from political to educational to symbolic implications of
such crimes, and Reno renewed her commitment to the passage of the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act. In addition, representatives worked with the
Attorney General to explore the impact of last November's White House
Conference on Hate Crimes and attempted to determine methods of developing
more solid relationships with local law enforcement agencies.
"By meeting with GLAAD and our partners, Janet Reno has sent a powerful
message: she is deeply concerned with the welfare of her constituents. Her
renewed commitment to supporting the passage of hate crimes legislation
gives the devastated citizens of Wyoming hope that someone is actively
willing to support them," said GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry.
"Ms. Reno has truly used the power of her voice to advocate for fairness,
living up to her position as head of the Department of Justice."
"We appreciate the Attorney General's leadership and commitment on so many
issues of concern to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
community, including hate crimes," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth
Birch. "It was clear that she understood the magnitude of sorrow from our
community and the need for a Federal response."
"When the Task Force has requested Department of Justice intervention in
previous anti-gay homicides the Attorney General has been responsive, as
she has with the murder of Matthew Shepard," said NGLTF Executive Director
Kerry Lobel. "The Justice Department, however, often has its hands tied
because of lack of jurisdictional authority. Unfortunately, the power to
resolve this problem lies not with the Attorney General, but with
congressional leaders who care more about placating the right wing than
saving the lives of innocent people."
Shepard died on the morning of Monday, October 12, after having been
viciously attacked the week before. A vigil co-sponsored by GLAAD, HRC and
NGLTF, was held on the West steps of the U.S. Capitol building last night,
commemorating the life of Matthew Shepard and demonstrating the need for
legislation protecting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community from hate crimes. Speakers included Ellen DeGeneres,
Anne Heche and Third Rock From the Sun's Kristen Johnston, and Frasier's
Dan Butler, as well as numerous politicians and lesbian and gay community
leaders. The U.S. Parks Department estimated some 7,000 people attended the
rally.
GLAAD is the nation's lesbian and gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD
promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and
events in all media as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of
discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
The Human Rights Campaign is the nation's largest national lesbian and gay
political organization, with members throughout the country, effectively
lobbies Congress, provides campaign support, and educates the public to
ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest, and safe at
home, at work, and in the community.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice,
violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973.
As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and
equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the
diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully
participate in society.
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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
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